A 129-run opening stand between Craig Kieswetter (63) and Alastair Cook (60) gave England the perfect platform to chase down a 272-run victory target, but Jadeja took four for 33 and Ashwin picked three for 28 as England collapsed to 176 all out in just 37 overs.

Earlier, put in to bat, India nearly squandered a fluent start as they slumped to 123 for four, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni provided a late flourish with a sparkling unbeaten 75 off 69 balls to shepherd the hosts to a commanding 271 for eight.

Image: Indian players celebrate after winning the matchPhotographs: Getty Images

India off to steady start

India got off to a steady start, courtesy Ajinkya Rahane and Gautam Gambhir.

Back to his opening slot in place of Parthiv Patel, who was replaced by local lad Manoj Tiwary, Gambhir took the risks with odd boundaries.

India scored 41 runs from the first powerplay even as the new opening duo remained unscathed. The pair survived a couple of anxious moments, even as the English fielders did not show urgency on the field.

Dhoni powers India to challenging total

MS Dhoni, who showed a rich vein of form throughout the ODI series, came good again for India with some lusty blows in the end.

He smartly dealt in singles at the beginning before opening his shoulders in the later stages of the innings. He was particularly severe on England off-spinner Swann, hitting him for two massive sixes to make his intentions pretty clear.

But it was Meaker's over that provided the impetus to the Indian innings, as they picked 21 runs from it.

Dhoni reached his half-century with a brilliant boundary off Meaker. In the final over, India scored 16 runs.

Dhoni finished with a brilliant 75 not out off 69 balls, inclusive of three boundaries and four sixes.